'Hand Torsion Spring' Kicked my rear.

[sourdough44]

I am happy to report I finally got my 340PD back together properly. While taking out the 'IL' the 'hand torsion spring' came out of position. I spent a lot of time looking at schematics, FAQs, & threads about getting it back in properly. I was finally able to get the short stem in it's 'hole' & get the longer arm behind the leg on the 'hand'. The cylinder cycles fine & I will test fire soon. Now that I am through that barrier I could do it in a snap. Like the one poster said, it's rather simple once you see how it goes.

 

[500 Magnum Nut]

Glad the pictures helped you out!

 

[wamalo]

500 Magnum Nut

I'd be very interested in the proper technique for re-installing this spring.
Might you post or forward a private message.

Thanks,

 

[Fastbolt]

Yep, that hand torsion spring can be a fun thing to position properly until you've done it a couple times.

Also, the newer ones have a longer rear leg to be better captured by the hand's 'small pin', so you don't lose engagement, which makes it a bit more difficult to replace in one respect.

In my case, I've found it easier to make sure the short leg of the spring is fully seated in the trigger, then start the main (long) hand pin into the hole until the short pin (for the spring leg) is just deep enough to still clear the spring leg. Then I use a large enough cup-ended punch to push the spring leg 'up' behind the hand's short pin, pushing the hand into the trigger as the spring leg clears the pin, capturing the spring.

The long leg of the torsion spring should point to the right side of the trigger. If it's pointing to the left side the spring is in the trigger upside down (and the coil of the spring will be sticking out more than it normally would, too).

 

[DCWilson]

The first time I ever disassembled a gun to clean it I took the hand completely off the trigger. Bad mistake. Even with reference to 500MN's excellent illustrations, it took me a while to understand what was going on down in the dark recesses where I couldn't see clearly, and then an hour or so more of pushing and prodding with a dental pick to make everything line up the right way. I was almost ready to give up on this whole Smith & Wesson thing and take up something simpler like zip guns.

But I persevered, learned the technique, and have dealt with a couple of more hand springs since then. Practice doesn't make perfect (or hasn't yet, in my case), but at least it makes one less frantic.

Congratulations on the outcome. I think there are few things in S&W land that feel better than the first victory over an obstreperous hand spring.

 

[sourdough44]

I just got back from a trip where I test fired my 340PD a fair amount. Let me say that my 38spcl handloads are plenty for me in the recoil department. It shot very well.

I did a search on the 'torsion' spring & looked over the threads. I kept looking for the correct 'blind hole'. It's down there, lower & more blind than I was looking. After I had the correct leg in the hole, coils correctly positioned, I was able to push the other leg into position with a screwdriver blade that was about the width if the slot in the trigger. Again I looked at some pictures & compared with advice posted. It's hard when the 1st time you really look at it is when it's all apart, so you don't see how it was supposed to go.

I'm just glad all is well again with my 340PD.

 

[500 Magnum Nut]

500 Magnum Nut

I'd be very interested in the proper technique for re-installing this spring.
Might you post or forward a private message.

Thanks,

Look up in the fAQ. I put a few things in there that come up often.

 

[wamalo]

500 Magnum Nut:

That FAQ section is great!!

Thanks,